2 Samuel 14:24 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And the king said, "Let him dwell apart in his own house; he is not to come into my presence." So Absalom lived apart in his own house and did not come into the king 's presence.

NIV: But the king said, "He must go to his own house; he must not see my face." So Absalom went to his own house and did not see the face of the king.

NASB: However, the king said, 'He shall return to his own house, but he shall not see my face.' So Absalom returned to his own house and did not see the king’s face.

CSB: However, the king added, "He may return to his house, but he may not see my face." So Absalom returned to his house, but he did not see the king.

NLT: But the king gave this order: 'Absalom may go to his own house, but he must never come into my presence.' So Absalom did not see the king.

KJV: And the king said, Let him turn to his own house, and let him not see my face. So Absalom returned to his own house, and saw not the king's face.

NKJV: And the king said, “Let him return to his own house, but do not let him see my face.” So Absalom returned to his own house, but did not see the king’s face.

Not everyone in the kingdom is allowed to see and meet with the king. That honor is reserved for those closest to David, those of the highest status, and others the king agrees to meet with while carrying out his duties as Israel's leader. To be banned from seeing the king suggests a person who should have such access but has lost it. That's what David has decreed for his own son, Absalom. In terms of royal law, David has pardoned Absalom for the crime of killing David's firstborn son Amnon, perhaps in part because David understood it was in retribution for Amnon's rape of their sister Tamar. But that forgiveness does not extend to the personal relationship. Absalom can't participate in the life of David's inner circle. He can't eat at the king's table with all of David's other children and honored guests. And he can't attend royal functions.

David's exact reasons aren't given. David is a passionate man, at least toward God. His expressions of emotion toward others are largely political. He mourned King Saul as God's ordained king, but also to prove to Israel that he was faithful to their king and lamented his death (2 Samuel 1; 3:31–39). Many of David's positive emotional expressions are adjacent to death and dying. He sincerely loved Jonathan, although mourning him also showed the people he honored Saul's heir (1 Samuel 1:22–27). He fasted and prayed to try to convince God not to kill Bathsheba's baby (2 Samuel 12:16–17). He mourned Amnon's death (2 Samuel 13:36), and he will mourn Absalom, despite the fact Absalom committed treason against him (2 Samuel 18:33).

Right now, however, Absalom is still alive, and David has no political reason to see him. Solomon is going to be king (1 Kings 1:29–30). Neither Absalom nor Joab seem to know this. So, though Absalom is back in Jerusalem, he's still an exile to his father. He's also handsome and engaging. He uses his time making friends with the people of the kingdom (2 Samuel 25–33).

Second Samuel 14:21–24 describes how David pardons his son but doesn't forgive him. After killing his brother for raping his sister, Absalom fled to his maternal grandfather (2 Samuel 13). Joab has convinced David to allow Absalom home to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 14:1–20). But David refuses to see him or welcome him back to the court. Absalom waits two years, trying to get Joab's attention. Finally, Absalom sets Joab's fields on fire, leading to a meeting where David agrees to reconcile (2 Samuel 14:28–33).

Second Samuel 14 sets the scene for Absalom's rebellion against David. Joab wants David to forgive Absalom for murdering his brother and end his exile. Joab has a woman pretend to be a widow, who tells a story about a murderous son to convince David to pardon his own son. David brings Absalom home to Jerusalem, but not to the court or family. Joab eventually convinces David to see Absalom and the two are officially reconciled. With freedom, status, and ambition, Absalom starts a campaign to draw the people's hearts away from David and toward himself (2 Samuel 15:1–6).

Second Samuel 14 continues God's promise that tragedy will plague David's family. This is a curse for David's sin against Uriah and Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12:9–11). David's son Amnon raped his own half-sister Tamar. Tamar's full brother Absalom avenged her by killing Amnon, then fled to his maternal grandfather (2 Samuel 13). David thinks about Absalom, and Joab convinces David to bring him home and reconcile with him. Absalom wins the hearts of the people and takes the throne while David flees. Eventually, Absalom will be dead, and David will be a chastened man and wiser king. (2 Samuel 15–20).